General Manager
General Manager - FMCG Food
THE COMPANY
Our client is a 100% Australian family-owned food manufacturer with nearly three decades of continuous operation. Founded in Melbourne, the business has grown from a small food service focused range into one of Australia's most capable end-to-end food manufacturing platforms — operating across numerous facilities in metropolitan Melbourne and with staff of over 100.
The business operates across two complementary divisions. Its owned consumer brand portfolio commands genuine market leadership in high-growth categories, with strong positions in Australian retail, foodservice and export. Its contract and private label manufacturing operation produces for some of Australia's most recognised FMCG businesses and foodservice distributors — providing structural revenue resilience alongside the margin richness of the branded business.
With a newly commissioned manufacturing facility, a live ERP implementation, and ongoing investment in automation mean the business is genuinely ready for its next chapter — not in need of repair, but primed for growth and hence is looking for a GM to join the organisation.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Advisory Board, the General Manager will hold full P&L accountability for a business spanning manufacturing, branded sales, contract and private label operations, supply chain, finance, quality and people.
The board have made a deliberate decision to bring in an experienced external leader to drive the next phase of growth — and the incoming General Manager will have the authority and mandate to build the structures and make the decisions the business needs to reach $200M and beyond.
We are seeking a commercially experienced food or beverage manufacturing executive who has operated across both branded consumer and contract manufacturing environments — and who understands the distinct levers, disciplines and customer relationships each requires.
WHY THIS ROLE
KEY CONTACT
Nick Hindhaugh
Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Six Degrees Executive
Phone +61 422 141 161
Six Degrees Executive acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.
Should you require assistance in your interactions with us or through a recruitment process, please let us know so we can provide adjustments for you.
- Food Manufacturing
- Branded + Contract Manufacturing
- 100% Family-Owned
THE COMPANY
Our client is a 100% Australian family-owned food manufacturer with nearly three decades of continuous operation. Founded in Melbourne, the business has grown from a small food service focused range into one of Australia's most capable end-to-end food manufacturing platforms — operating across numerous facilities in metropolitan Melbourne and with staff of over 100.
The business operates across two complementary divisions. Its owned consumer brand portfolio commands genuine market leadership in high-growth categories, with strong positions in Australian retail, foodservice and export. Its contract and private label manufacturing operation produces for some of Australia's most recognised FMCG businesses and foodservice distributors — providing structural revenue resilience alongside the margin richness of the branded business.
With a newly commissioned manufacturing facility, a live ERP implementation, and ongoing investment in automation mean the business is genuinely ready for its next chapter — not in need of repair, but primed for growth and hence is looking for a GM to join the organisation.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Advisory Board, the General Manager will hold full P&L accountability for a business spanning manufacturing, branded sales, contract and private label operations, supply chain, finance, quality and people.
The board have made a deliberate decision to bring in an experienced external leader to drive the next phase of growth — and the incoming General Manager will have the authority and mandate to build the structures and make the decisions the business needs to reach $200M and beyond.
- Lead and develop a high-performing executive team across manufacturing, commercial, supply chain, finance and marketing — building the capability and culture required to support significant scale.
- Drive growth across both the branded and contract manufacturing channels — expanding the contract customer base, deepening existing FMCG partnerships, and growing branded distribution in retail, foodservice and export.
- Maximise the return on substantial recent capital investment — including the new facility, upgraded automation and the live ERP — translating infrastructure into commercial performance.
- Build the operational rigour, commercial discipline and strategic clarity required to take the business to $200M — while preserving the speed and culture of a privately held, family-owned business.
- Work in genuine partnership with the founding family, the Advisory Board and the executive team — a collaborative leadership model requiring both commercial authority and strong relationship capability.
We are seeking a commercially experienced food or beverage manufacturing executive who has operated across both branded consumer and contract manufacturing environments — and who understands the distinct levers, disciplines and customer relationships each requires.
- General Manager / CEO level (have led all functions)
- Proven P&L leadership in food or beverage manufacturing at scale — ideally $100M+ — with direct accountability for operations, commercial performance and people.
- Experience across both branded FMCG and contract or private label manufacturing is highly regarded; candidates from pure branded or pure contract backgrounds will be considered where the depth of experience is compelling.
- A track record of building and leading high-performing executive teams — with the credibility to lead operational leaders and the commercial acuity to lead sales and marketing functions.
- Experience working within or alongside a family-owned or founder-led business is a genuine advantage — the ability to operate with trust, humility and long-term thinking in a privately held environment is essential.
- Strong export or international sales experience would be well regarded given the business's growth ambitions across New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East.
WHY THIS ROLE
- Real authority — The founding family has made a deliberate decision to bring in external leadership. You will have genuine P&L accountability and genuine trust to lead the business forward
- Dual-model advantage — Branded market leadership in high-growth categories combined with a high-volume contract manufacturing base.
- A growth story- Branded retail expansion, a deepening contract and private label customer base, export across New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East, and ongoing NPD — multiple levers, with scale to matter and speed to act.
- Long-term thinking — Three generations of family ownership. No short-term financial engineering. A culture defined by craft, quality, and genuine pride in what they make.
KEY CONTACT
Nick Hindhaugh
Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Six Degrees Executive
Phone +61 422 141 161
Six Degrees Executive acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.
Should you require assistance in your interactions with us or through a recruitment process, please let us know so we can provide adjustments for you.
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Back to Job Details
- Contract Type permanent
- Reference BH-34930
- Industry
-
SalaryCompetitive
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Contact Name
Nick Hindhaugh
General Manager
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